As the westernmost institution in the UNC system, Western Carolina University provides
educational opportunities to residents of the state’s western region and attracts
students from around the globe to explore the area’s vast resources.

At Western Carolina University, we view our admissions process as our opportunity
to build the community that defines our institution. We look for people eager to explore
and ready to redefine success.

Programs and courses at Western Carolina are designed to provide hands-on, applied
experience. Students engage with communities across the region as they practice their
profession in real-world environments.

Western Carolina’s unique mountain location helps fuel a vibrant campus community
with more than 170 student clubs and organizations as well as a busy performing arts
calendar and the campus’s own adventure guide service.

Western Carolina is home to 16 Southern Conference athletic teams with more than 375
student athlete competitors. WCU strives to inspire student-athletes to compete like
champions on the field and in the classroom.

Western Carolina was founded to serve the region it calls home, and that has not changed.
WCU continues to focus on regional development initiatives, engaged service and community
programs. It also partners with alumni and donors to ensure access to higher education
for deserving students in the region and beyond.

Campus Operations and Finance

Campus Operations and Finance

Regulations

The official regulations contain general regulatory information, registration information for students, faculty,
staff, and visitors, enforcement, penalties, fines, and appeals. Copies of the Parking
and Traffic Regulations, along with color-coded maps of campus parking areas, are
available at the Parking Operations Office.

REVOCATION OF PARKING PRIVILEGES (WHEEL-LOCK OR TOW)

When a student, faculty member, staff member, or visitor receives three or more citations
in a semester, the parking privileges of the permit holder or registered owner is
revoked according to the Habitual Offender Policy. Vehicles parked on campus by the
permit holder or registered owner during the suspension period will be wheel-locked
or towed.

Parking privileges may also be revoked for receiving more than one citation for parking
in a disability space and for any fraudulent registration activity.

Vehicles may also be towed for individual violations where a roadway or sidewalk is
blocked, when disability access is blocked, for parking in a reserved or disability
space, for failing to clear a designated lot on game day, and for other violations
and situations where towing is judged necessary to preserve order. Most of the time,
towed vehicles are impounded on campus. If the Parking Operations Office staff determines
that the owner or operator of a towed vehicle is a current student, the Parking Operations
Office pays the tow driver and places the charge on the student's account. If the
owner or registered owner is not a student, the vehicle is impounded until the permit
holder or the registered owner of the vehicle reimburses the Parking Operations Office
for the tow charges.

Appeals of wheel-lock and towing fees may be made to the Parking and Traffic Subcommittee
through the Parking Operations Office. If an appellate of towing fees is dissatisfied
with the decision of the Parking and Traffic Subcommittee, they may appeal to the
District Court [NCGS §116-44.4(i) (2)(c)].

Wheel-lock fees may not be appealed beyond the Parking and Traffic Subcommittee.

The Parking and Transportation Department is not responsible for damages that occur
due to towing. Individuals who believe that their cars have been damaged by towing
should contact the tow service involved. Each tow service that contracts to tow on
campus must be covered with liability insurance for such damages.

Wheel-Lock Policy IS designed to facilitate the enforcement of parking regulations,
the Police Department/ Parking and Transportation Department and its employees may
use wheel-locks on either vehicles that are parked illegally in certain restricted
parking areas defined below or for other designated situations. The restricted areas
will be designated on University maps issued by the University Parking Operations
Unit and with signage in the affected areas that announces "Wheel Lock Zone."

Vehicles are strictly prohibited from parking in fire lanes and loading zones at all
times. Such areas are also designated as a wheel-lock zone.

Vehicles parked in expired parking metered for extended periods of time may be wheel-locked.

Any motorist is displaying a lost or stolen permit, an unregistered vehicle that has
accumulated three or more unpaid, unvoided tickets, or a registered vehicle that has
accumulated five (5) or more tickets, whether paid or unpaid, during a semester (habitual
violator) may be wheel-locked.

WHEEL-LOCK PROCEDURES AND APPEALS

1. Upon discovering a vehicle parked in a restricted area without the appropriate
parking permit or in one of the other above described situations, the vehicle may
be wheel-locked by an employee of University Parking Operations. If the vehicle is
discovered after-hours, a police officer or other department employee may wheel-lock
the vehicle.

2. The wheel-lock shall be attached in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions
in a manner in which the wheel-lock is obviously visible to the operator of the vehicle
as he or she enters the vehicle.

3. Care shall be taken to ensure that damage does not occur to the vehicle during
the installation or removal of the wheel-lock. Before installing the wheel-lock, the
employee shall first inspect the area on which the wheel-lock is to be installed for
any sign of damage. Such damage shall be documented.

4. After installing a wheel-lock upon a vehicle, the employee shall affix a sticker
to the driver's window or windshield of the vehicle.

Any attempt to move the vehicle may result in its damage. Western Carolina University
is not responsible for any damage to an immobilized vehicle resulting from, but not
limited to, unauthorized attempts to free or move the vehicle or wheel lock, acts
of vandalism or negligence of others. In order to have this wheel-lock removed, you
must appear at the Parking Operations office located at Camp Building 106, Western
Carolina University (828.227.7411) an administrative removal fee in the amount of
$75.00 (effective July 1, 2015) will be placed on the students account. For wheel
lock removal after 8:00 pm please call (828.227.7301) The red call box outside the
Police Department (Bldg #5) is also available. Unauthorized removal or attempted removal
of the wheel-lock may result in arrest and prosecution.

5. Individuals appearing at the Parking Operations office during business hours to
have a wheel-lock removed will be processed by staff then notify a Parking Enforcement
employee to remove the wheel-lock.

6. Individuals appearing at the University Police Department after-hours to have a
wheel-lock removed shall be processed in the following manner:

a. Complete a Wheel-Lock Removal form with a copy of the individual's identification,
place the Wheel-Lock Removal form in Parking Operations office for the clerical staff
to process on the next business day.

b. After completing the Wheel-Lock Form, the supervisor or senior officer will cause
the wheel-lock to be removed. Authorization to transport the motorist to his or her
vehicle is granted.

7. Complaints by the motorist of damage to his or her vehicle shall be documented.
The employee removing the wheel-lock will inspect the area after the removal of the
wheel-lock. Any evidence of damage and the corresponding circumstances shall be documented.

8. Vehicles found in restricted areas without parking permits shall not be wheel-locked
until their presence in these areas is investigated. These vehicles shall be examined
to determine if they appear to belong to visitors. Vehicles that do not appear to
be visitors may be wheel-locked if they meet the criteria contained herein.

9. Parking Enforcement may immobilize vehicles in lieu of towing. The vehicle operator
will be required to report to the Parking Operations office to obtain the release
of the vehicle. Failure to report to the Parking Operations office prior to 5:00 pm
on the date of immobilization may result in the vehicle being towed off campus at
the owner's expense. A wheel lock fee of $75.00 will be charged to the student account.
Additional towing fees may apply. All parking fines and fees are paid at One Stop
(227-7170)

*Note: The penalty for unauthorized removal or damage of the immobilization device
(boot) shall be equal to the cost of repair or replacement of the device. ($500.00)

10. Nothing contained herein shall prohibit a law enforcement officer from using a
wheel-lock to immobilize a vehicle for criminal investigative purposes.

Appeal of Wheel-Lock Fee

At the time that a person contacts a member of Parking Operations or the police supervisor
or Senior officer regarding the wheel-lock, the person may orally appeal the immobilization
of his or her vehicle. Parking Operations employees may hear the appeal and have the
authority to waive the fee if they believe the person's appeal has merit. A person
whose oral appeal is denied is required to pay the necessary fees. A person whose
oral appeal is not granted may file a written appeal to the University Parking, Traffic
& Safety Committee within 7 days of the date the vehicle was released. If the appeal
to the University Parking, Traffic & Safety Committee is granted, the University shall
refund the amount charged for immobilizing the vehicle.

RESTRICTED AREAS

The following areas on campus are designated as restricted parking areas subject to
the use of wheel-locks in which parking is allowed only with the appropriate permit:

All faculty/staff parking areas, parking spaces that are specifically reserved by
signage such as designated or handicap spaces.

PAYMENT FOR VEHICLE REGISTRATION

Students:

Students who register a vehicle will have the parking permit fee added to their student
account where it is added to other tuition and fees. This makes it possible for loans,
scholarships, and some other types of financial aid to cover the cost of vehicle registration.

Faculty, staff, and contractual employees:

Full-time faculty and staff pay for the parking permit through payroll deduction.
Full-time faculty and staff may only purchase parking permits through payroll deduction.
As long as the full-time faculty or staff employee maintains the payroll deduction,
his or her permit is valid and non-expiring. No annual renewal is required. Upon termination
of employment, an employee must surrender his or her permit in order to terminate
the payroll deduction. Part-time employees and some contractual employees may purchase
their parking permits on a pro-rated basis by debit or credit card at the Parking
Operations Office.

MULTIPLE VEHICLES

All students, staff, and faculty may register more than one vehicle to a parking permit;
however, only one vehicle is allowed on campus at any time displaying the parking
permit. For commuters, faculty, and staff members who will have more than one car
on campus at a time, a second parking permit for the additional vehicle must be purchased.
For anyone who wishes to register more than one vehicle but intends to have only one
of the registered vehicles on campus at any given time, the parking permit may be
moved from one vehicle to another.

TEMPORARY PERMITS

Temporary permits may be purchased short term for $7.50 per week or $5.00 a day. Temporary
permits must be purchased if a vehicle is to be on campus without having a valid parking
permit.

VISITOR PERMITS

Visitors are encouraged to obtain a visitor parking permit when on campus.

University employees who are inviting groups of more than five people to campus should
notify the Parking Enforcement Office (227-7411) and discuss parking arrangements
before invitations are issued.

VEHICLE REGISTRATION EXCEPTIONS (OPEN PARKING)

Parking rules and regulations require all faculty and staff to register their vehicles.
Any student who chooses not to register their vehicle and finds that they must park
on campus on a weekday before 5:00 pm. to use the library, visit the Bookstore, or
take care of other business must have the vehicle registered. Unregistered vehicles
operated by faculty, staff, students, or contractual employees will be cited for non-registration. This
exception does not apply to parking at the residence halls. All vehicles at the residence
halls must be registered at all times. Resident students who anticipate visiting parents
or other non-university affiliated visitors should obtain a visitor's pass for their
vehicle.

UNREGISTERED VEHICLES

When unregistered vehicles receive citations, the owners of the vehicle are identified
through computerized links with motor vehicle offices in all 50 states. If the owner
is identified as a student, staff member, faculty member, contractual employee, or
a member of such person’s family, the fines are applied to that individual’s account.

TRADING CARS

If a student, faculty, staff, or contractual employee member trades his or her registered
vehicle for another vehicle, he or she must provide the Parking Operations Office
staff with the information on the vehicles so that the registration records may be
updated.

LOST OR STOLEN PERMITS

Report all lost or stolen permits to the Parking Operations Office. Lost or stolen
permits will be replaced for $10.00. University Police will investigate all thefts,
prosecute offenders where possible, and assist the victim in recovering the cost of
the stolen permit from the thief. Individuals who recover parking permits that may
be lost or stolen must submit them to the Parking Operations Office. Anyone found
displaying a lost or stolen permit is subject to having their vehicle wheel-locked
or towed and/or criminal charges.

CHANGING STATUS

When a change in a driver’s official status occurs (a resident student officially
moves off campus, a commuter student officially moves onto campus, a student becomes
a faculty or staff member), a replacement decal with the correct classification will
be issued at no additional cost or refunds.

DISABLED VEHICLES

Notify the Parking Operations Office immediately (828-227-7411) during normal business
hours Monday through Friday 8am to 5pm) if your vehicle is disabled, nights and weekends
call 828-227-7301. They may also be able to help you get your vehicle to a legal parking
space so that you do not receive citations. Officers will also confirm that the vehicle
is disabled and may authorize 24 hours to have the car repaired or moved.

DISABILITY PARKING

In order to park legally in a disability space on campus, a vehicle must display an
official disability placard approved by the state or a disability license plate.